KFI AM 640 in Los Angeles is making changes to bolster its weekday lineup. The moves are designed to return some of the brand’s most popular personalities to familiar dayparts while also introducing new voices to move the radio station forward.
As announced on-air today, John Kobylt is returning to afternoon drive, from 3p-6p PT. Kobylt previously commanded the daypart for years as part of the legendary John & Ken Show. With Kobylt returning to his former drive time slot, Tim Conway Jr. returns to evenings from 6p-10p, bringing back his popular evening program.
To cover Kobylt’s midday spot from 12p-3p, KFI will introduce a brand new show. Chris Merrill and Michael Monks, will team up in middays to launch the new Monks & Merrill Show.
Chris Merrill is a familiar voice to KFI’s audience. He has hosted shows and worked for the station in various roles for years. Merrill recently exited KTAR 92.3 in Phoenix where he had been co-hosting the midday show with Joe Huizenga.
Michael Monks meanwhile has gained notoriety as an award-winning senior reporter/host for KFI News. Together, Monks and Merrill will strive to deliver a unique sound while entertaining and tackling Southern California’s biggest issues.
For those who missed it, here is how the announcement sounded live on KFI’s airwaves.
The new weekday line up on KFI AM 640 will be as follows:
- 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. – Bill Handel
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Gary & Shannon
- 12p.m. – 3 p.m. – Monks & Merrill
- 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. – John Kobylt
- 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. – Tim Conway Jr.
In announcing the changes, iHeartMedia Los Angeles Division President, Paul Corvino shared his enthusiasm: “The new lineup change continues with a tradition built on excellence. This is a great opportunity to add two new dynamic voices, Chris Merrill and Michael Monks, to our already nationally recognized roster of talent. It’s an incredibly exciting time for our brand advertisers and the greater Southern California listeners.”
KFI Program Director Brian Long also weighed in on the decision to once again feature John Kobylt in afternoons and Tim Conway Jr. in evenings: “The chance to put John Kobylt back in drivetime and move Tim Conway Jr. and his entertaining brand of talk a bit later for the evening crowd is a homerun for the KFI listeners. Starting the day with Wake-Up Call, Bill Handel, Gary & Shannon, our award-winning news team, and now the addition of the new Monks & Merrill Show makes KFI the most stimulating talk lineup in America.”
KFI’s new weekday lineup hits the Los Angeles airwaves starting February 17th.
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A radio station is only as good as their DJ’s. Most people listen to the radio in the car. Most of us are home by 6 which means no more Tim Conway. The two useful idiots in the morning remain. Without a lesson plan they have nothing of value to talk about. Merrill on the weekend has diarrhea of the mouth. That’s when I switch to KNX. Whoever came up with this new schedule should be fired. Once you lose John Kobylt you are done.
I thought Mo Kelly was coming back! What a disappointment! I want Mo back.
Not a fan that John Kobylt got this time slot, or any time slot.
I listen to KFI primarily because they are not one sided. They deliver a non biased view of what is happening, locally, state wide and world wide.
Just listen to Bill Handel, Shannon and Gary and Tim Conway. You will get straight forward and fact check information.
Unlike John K who is one sided only.
I turn off KFI when John is on.
He screams, regurgitates consistently.
John, if you are so adamant about change, run for an office instead of criticizing every elected official. You know so much (so it comes across by you) do something instead of complaining 24/7.
I do look forward to Michael Monks.
I’ll miss that extra hour of Gary and Shannon.
I, too, leave the station when jk comes on . . . Tired of his constant ranting.
I second this! Completely agree 100%
I agree 100%.
I now live in Florida. I enjoy Michael Monks but I will not get to listen to John anymore. I only listen during work hours and on my drive home so that is a bummer.
I’d love to hear the new guys in the drive time slot and put John midday. The constant whining and rants about politicians gets old after about 3 minutes.
I am not happy with this change either. I too turn off KFI when Kobalt starts. Mo back would have been great. These guys may be good, but I say kick Kobalt out and bring Mo back. Try the new team at the later slot, see if they can keep up their listenership.
I was hoping they would replace bill handel. he’s tired and says so every day. and he is anything but non bias as he always admits but come on.. he’s very slanted but will make exceptions if its good for his personal financial line. Amy would be a good replacement. and just so you know where i’m coming from, i love john k and i don’t live in la or la county and probably never will in my lifetime.
Who is anchoring for Tim in the night slot? Is it Michael Crozier or Mark Rahner?
Love Tim’s return to that time and that John is back to afternoon drive. Keep up the good work, both of you!
I been listening to this station for 100 years moved to San Diego, listened, now in Newport Beach still a fan.
Keep up the good programs for us old ladies that love a good laugh.
I wish they would have taken this opportunity to limit Handel to his Handel on the Law shifts. Replace his morning show since all he does is talk about himself and pushes his anti conservative beliefs. Very one sided which isn’t proper for a broadcaster. John Kobylt is fantastic and I feel he is well respected by his community and target audience. I hope one day there is way to get the overall community to act on the issues and fraud he reveals every day.
Conway is great and I can’t wait to hear new “what did Jesse Jackson say” bits and more Jay Leno visits.
I live in Fargo North Dakota and listen every week night, Rich on Tech and The Jesus Christ Show on Sunday.
THRILLED that John Kobylt will have 3-6 slot!!!
Somebody with a brain and intelligent things to say will be very refreshing to listen to when I’m in the car!!!
Hallelujah!!!!
John K may sound like he is whining, however. it is out of pure frustration that makes him sound that way. if you listen to his commentary long enough, you will realize that he is pointing out what the rest of us need to know. Namely that the bulk of our elected officials who serve in key positions that directly affect our standard of living are inept and have little to no knowledge how they are supposed to do their jobs they were elected to do. Many of them just filled the position until another elected position where they can continue to accept a lot of money for doing practically nothing. Taje Karen Bass for example. she had held a lot of powerful well paying political offices. Can you name anything at all noteworthy that she has done in all that time that directly benefitted the people she was elected to serve? That’s just one of these political hacks who are living well off of the taxpayers. look at the quality of life we here in California have. Horrible! The majority of these politicians are Democrats! John works hard, has his facts in order and I bet these do-nothing politicians would love nothing better than to see him gone. I for one am glad to hear his opinions because they are the unvarnished truth!